ATLANTA -- It was landscape work Lora Martin simply had to see for herself: a diseased hardwood on Monroe Drive in Midtown Atlanta being taken down.

She had to see it because of all she couldn't see, as long as the tree was around.

"That's going to make all the difference in the world," she said as she watched tree branches fall. "I'm really impressed."

She's impressed that someone listened when she raised her voice about the safety of pedestrians crossing Monroe Drive. Before she spoke up, the tree was doing a wonderful job of obscuring safety.

The city of Atlanta placed an impressive crosswalk signal at the brand new pedestrian entrance to Piedmont Park. It came with signs and flashing lights to stop traffic, but drivers didn't seem to be paying much attention.

That tree was a big part of the problem. The lights and signs were hidden behind a branch.

Last fall, before the lights and overhead sign were installed, Martin was riding her scooter down Monroe when the driver of a car in front of her jammed on his brakes. The driver apparently didn't see a pedestrian in the crosswalk until the last second. Martin fell from her scooter and injured her shoulder.

So when she noticed the much-needed improvement to the crosswalk was hidden to many, she raised her voice.

11Alive took her concerns to the city, and Atlanta responded immediately. Inspectors found the tree was diseased, so out came the chainsaws.

"You got some action really quickly, and I think that's going to make all the difference in the world," Martin told 11Alive Commuter Dude Jerry Carnes.

With the signs and lights in clear view, drivers seem to be cooperating with the signal.

"I'm really happy to see that," Martin said.

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